Spring 2020

• Week 1 - Academic Advising and Student Success Initiatives in the Division of Undergraduate Education

  Presenters: Dr. Charles Robbins, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education and Dean of the Undergraduate Colleges

  Learn all about the structure and inner workings of academic advising in the Division of Undergraduate Education.  What are the current divisional priorities for student success and what role do advisors play in supporting those priorities?

• Week 2 - Data Informed Approaches to Advising
   

  Presenters: Sean Hoffman, Senior Analytics Developer, Office of Institutional Research, Planning and Effectiveness (IRPE).
  Dr. Deb Serling, Director, Academic and Transfer Advising Services

  With the number of undergraduates admitted to Stony Brook increasing each year, it becomes more and more challenging for advisors to make meaningful connections with all of the students within their sphere of influence.  In this session, we will discuss what institutional-level research data can tell us about our students, and how that data helps drive and support advising initiatives and extend advisor reach.

• Week 3 - Academic Advising Policies and Procedures

  Presenters: Tracey Iorio, Assistant Director, Academic and Transfer Advising Services.
  Randy Thomas, Assistant Director, Academic and Transfer Advising Services.

  Week 3 will introduce you to the intricacies and complexities of the University’s system of academic policies and procedures.  The academic calendar, FERPA, grading options, registration, transfer credit evaluation, etc. will be covered. We’d be willing to bet that even the most experienced members of our audience will leave this session having learned something new.

• Week 4 - Curriculum Requirements and the Degree Works Audit

  Presenters: Lisa Dimone, Transfer Articulation and Data Coordinator, Academic and Transfer Advising Services.
  Courtney Rickard, Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Development and Life Skills

  This session will cover all the things a student needs to complete to graduate, and how advisors and students alike can track graduation progress using the Degree Works Audit.

• Week 5 - Culturally Responsive Advising

  Presenters: Dorothy Corbett, Senior Academic Advisor/Counselor, EOP/AIM.
  Pamela Matzner, Director, EOP/AIM.
  Chris Tanaka, Assistant Director, LGBTQ* Services.
  Dr. Jarvis Watson, Student Support Team, Dean of Students Office.

  Many factors influence a student’s overall development and decision-making processes.  Understanding the impact that race, ethnicity, gender identity, language, social class, and family values have on students is imperative for establishing strong advising relationships and achieving positive outcomes for student success.  The week we learn how to see students more clearly through the beautiful and complex lens of cultural identity, and in turn improve our ability to provide more culturally responsive advising.

• Week 6 - Helping Exploring Students Explore

  Presenters: Diane DeSimone, ATAS Academic Advisor.
  Marie Parziale, Senior Alumni Career Coach

  Few things have more power to create fear and anxiety in students than having no idea what to major in or how to make logical connections between majors and careers.  We’ll focus on the resources and referrals available to help students select reasonable, appropriate (and perhaps even inspiring) majors and career pathways.

• Week 7 - Supporting Students in Crisis

  Presenters: Judy Esposito, Associate Director, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS); Chair, University CARE Team
  Wendi Matthews, Director, Student Accessibility Support Services Center.
  Representative from Counseling and Psychological Services, TBA.

  The number of students entering college with pre-existing mental health challenges is on the rise, as is the number of students presenting daily at university counseling centers with new symptoms of anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts.  Many students will approach advisors first when experiencing these kinds of problems, often because they can have a serious impact on academic health as well.  In this session we will learn how to spot students in crisis, offer support, and make timely and appropriate referrals.

• Week 8 - Advising Case Studies

  Presenters: Mary Beth Powers, Associate Director, Academic and Transfer Advising Services.
  Stacey Zannettis, Associate Dean and Director, Undergraduate Colleges.

  In this final meeting, we will learn from examples, factual, fictitious, and a little of both, how to speak to and work with students who come to us for help on a variety of different issues.  Let’s get ready to role play!